Calculating the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells with industry based silicon solar cells

Our senior design project deal with two types of solar cell technologies: industry standard Si-based and the emerging one based on novel dye sensitized materials. Dye sensitized solar cells will be fabricated in a laboratory setting. FTIR and Raman microscopy will be used to study the surface make-up of the novel solar cells. A thin film flexible photovoltaic cell will be characterized. The efficiency of the dye sensitized solar cells will be compared to that of thin film Si-based solar cells. We will design the experiments and perform measurements using LabView controlled data acquisition. The prospects to improve the efficiency of the novel solar cell technology will be discussed.